After a gap of several years, I have had a number of requests to return to Dresden. Our itinerary will again include a rich variety of veteran paddle steamers, narrow gauge steam railways and vintage trams. Apart from the transport interest, the River Elbe offers the dramatic rock landscapes of “Saxon Switzerland”, and the city of Dresden itself , which described itself as “the Florence of the Elbe”, with its fine baroque buildings, has a great variety of museums and art galleries, plus the Semper Opera. The newly reconstructed Frauenkirche, the most important Protestant church in Germany, is now complete and reconsecrated, having lain as a pile of rubble for half a century in the heart of the old city.

OUTLINE ITINERARY
Tuesday) Meet at London St Pancras for morning departure by Eurostar to Brussels, and thence onward via Frankfurt to Erfurt for an overnight stay.
Wednesday) We continue on through the former East Germany to Dresden, with afternoon free to explore the city.
Thursday) A paddle steamer cruise downstream to Meissen, famous for its porcelain.
Friday) Upstream through the dramatic gorge scenery of the Elbe valley to Bad Schandau to join our chartered vintage tram for the rural ride to Lichtenhain.
Saturday) Morning visit to the Weisseritztalbahn, the narrow gauge steam line destroyed in the floods of 2002 and only finally reopened at the end of 2008. Afternoon free in the city.
Sunday) Visit to the steam operated narrow gauge line from Radebeul to Radeburg.
Monday) A day tour to the attractive town of Zittau near the Czech and Polish borders and the narrow gauge lines to Kurort Oybin and Kurort Jonsdorf.
Tuesday) A day to enjoy the river and / or the city and its many museums, and you may wish to visit the excellent transport museum.
Wednesday) A chance to visit the preserved steam roundhouse at Chemnitz
Thursday) After breakfast we join an ICE train to Frankfurt thence onward via Koeln to Brussels and finally home to London.

OUR HOTELS
We will be based at the InterCity Hotels in both Erfurt and Dresden, both conveniently situated close to their respective railway stations. Tour price is £1195 per person sharing twin / double room, with £195 single supplement if required. This includes travel with the group from London, excursions as outlined above, and nine nights hotel accommodation arranged on a bed and breakfast basis. Deposit £200 per person to confirm booking.